Thursday, October 30, 2014

This fall our students and their families expanded their artistic and cultural horizons with field trips to several venerable downtown institutions.

The Andy Angelo Press Club visited ArtPrize the weekend it opened where they had a unique opportunity to talk to several artists about their motivation to enter the competition. Some of the students were surprised at what they learned, including the fact that one artist only enters to attract the attention of “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not” museums. The students then wrote about their experiences which were published on The Rapidian.

The next weekend 25
more students and their families were treated to private tours of two ArtPrize
venues: SiTE:LAB and the Grand Rapids Art Museum. At the GRAM the group had the
privilege of meeting several artists, including grand prize winner Anila
Quayyum Agha. They also were able to get an inside look at one of the pieces to
which they could easily relate titled “I Am Not Who You Think I Am/Yo No Soy
Quien Crees Que Soy” by Salvador Jimenez Flores. Salvador spoke about the
meaning of his piece in addition to translating for Ron Platt, GRAM’s chief
curator, while he led the museum tour. A parent was overheard to say, “I didn’t
realize I liked art so much!” When it was finally time to go home a student exclaimed,
“I want to stay downtown and look at art all night!”

A post-ArtPrize
field trip consisted of a visit to Kendall College of Arts and Design. On the
way there, Steffanie Rosalez, the Cook Arts Center’s program director, was
surprised to learn that nobody on the bus had ever been to KCAD. After taking a
few minutes to describe the college and its important role in the community,
she told the students what they could expect during the artist reception and
campus tour. Moments later, 60 students filed out of the bus and began
exploring the galleries and studios of KCAD's campus for the very first time.

Times like these
remind the staff at GAAH of the importance of providing opportunities for our youth and their families. Even though most of our students live near
downtown, they seldom have a chance to explore these institutions, learn about
careers in a hands-on way, and meet artists, professors, and others who may be
able to connect them with life-changing opportunities. GAAH serves as an
important liaison between the Grandville Avenue neighborhood and the broader community
by providing many residents with a unique opportunity to experience art in a
city that is so deeply enhanced by it.

The documents include interviews,
photos, and videos of conversations between the Scholars and local business
owners, inspirational leaders, and other key figures in the community. The
students asked such questions “What inspired you?” and “What advice do you have
for me?” These interviews were carefully documented, ensuring that this
significant history remains accessible for everyone in the community.

The celebration itself, which
took place at the Cook Library Center, included an address by Mayor Heartwell
as well as inspiring presentations from students Alejandro, Itza,
and Angel. After the program, the crowd of family, friends, and community
members viewed the display and enjoyed some Hispanic food.

All in all, this poignant project elevates the important voices and history
of the people in the Grandville Avenue neighborhood. Not only did the process
teach important historical lessons to the youth who worked on it, but its
completion will serve as an educational tool to communicate significant
historical information in which the entire city can take pride.

Audubon Arts is also new this year. This unique collaboration with Junior Audubon Grand Rapidsteaches neighborhood youth the art of
birds and nature. Thanks to GAAH’s Volunteer Coordinator and Administrative Assistant Bethany Sheffer, this program is available to members of the Audubon Club as well as neighborhood children. The hour-long class that
meets once a week introduces youth to a variety of environmental topics through drawing, painting, and mixed media which allow the youth
to study nature while tapping into their creativity. Along with
artists and conservationists, students go on field trips to local nature centers and parks, introducing
them to larger community-based projects such as Celebrate Urban Birds,
International Migratory Bird Day, and the Junior Duck Stamp Program.

Studies
show that race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status play a substantial role in
how often youth spend time in and are exposed to nature. The Audubon Arts
program builds the capacity for youth from our neighborhood and beyond to have
greater access to green space, nature trails, and educational programming at
nature centers. It
is our hope that this will allow our students to find meaningful connections to
the environment, leading to a greater likelihood that they will defend and care
for it in the future.